Kayfun modding?

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DoubleEwe

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Hey, I have recently taken apart one of my Kayfuns (including the positive post) and was wondering if anyone had had any success in modifying theirs?

Currently I don't have the tools for it, but I was thinking about converting it into a better version of the Orchid. (Better in terms of capacity at least).

From looking at the parts of the 3.1 it seems that you could drill 2 x 2mm holes in the deck section (maybe touching the normal central airhole), drilling through into the drip chamber.
Then drill another hole in the side of the base (to go into the side of the drip chamber). - To increase airflow.
Shaving down the positive and negative posts (1mm off each of the sides of them), so that you can use the existing side holes to mount the coils instead of the top screws.
Finally plugging the central airhole.

I know the orchid clone is cheap (already have one), but I kind of want to make use of my dormant Kayfuns.

Has anyone done this or similar? Reasons not to do it? (other than the hassle)
 

UncleChuck

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Drilling the deck is going to be a tough job unless you have a drill press. Maybe not the holes going straight down through the deck, but drilling through the side to make new air inlets will be a nightmare. I'd suggest at least 20 drill bits and several spare kayfun bases for when you snap bits off and they get stuck.;) Not saying it can't be done with a hand drill, but it's not going to be easy, or fast, but it will be risky.

If I understand your idea correctly you plan to drill new airholes in the deck similar to an Orchid? You might have to re-work the juice channels as the Kayfun is designed to operate a little different than other RTAs. Attys like the Ochid, fogger, etc use wick-in-channels and the juice feeds directly from the tank to the wicks.

The kayfun is meant to operate by flooding the lower deck with juice when you inhale, which gets sucked up by the wicks, and then when you stop inhaling any excess juice gets sucked back into the tank as well as a bit of air to equalize the pressure in the tank.If you drill air holes in the deck it's going to dump juice all over as there is nothing stopping the juice from entering the air hole. Because the stock kayfun's airhole is raised up with respect to the deck leaking isn't an issue (or shouldn't be)

To avoid this you could widen the juice channels a lot and run wick-in-channel, but then it becomes an issue of space and location. Two wick-tails and only one channel. With the coil sitting on the deck-base, the wicks will go sideways and not reach the juice channels as they are in the middle of the deck. Grinding completely new juice channels that are offset from the stock channel on either side would allow it to work more like the Orchid.

Is it possible? Probably. But the work required makes it a bit pointless. You'll spend more on drill bits than you would on a brand new V4 Orchid clone, and not have to worry about screwing up a functioning device.

There are ways to get some airflow improvement on the kayfun though, the stock center pin can be slightly enlarged (either by careful drilling or filing) and the stock air inlet can be drilled out, but again you risk breaking off bits and getting them stuck, and even with these things done it's still a fairly tight draw and nothing like the orchid or other "big performance" devices.

If you end up doing it I wish you luck and would love to see how it turns out, but honestly I think your best bet is to just by a V4 orchid as it a capacity almost the same as a full-size kayfun.
 

DoubleEwe

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Yeah, I forgot to mention about widening (or adding) the juice channels.

I think you are right in it not really being worth it, but if I do happen to come to possess a milling machine then I will give it a go. I don't mind a bit of elbow grease, I did the VTR ring modification using a penknife, which was indeed a labour of love.

The orchid is a Vacuum feeder (like the Kayfun) if you wick it correctly though, I have never had my wicks blocking or going down the juice channels and it does not leak or dry hit.

I have heard (from Svoemesto directly) that the Kayfun 4 will be out pretty soon, so maybe they have stepped up to the mark and revolutionized the design.

If not, I will have to look to China to produce an awesome new atty for me...
 
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